Catching Up with D1 Collegiate First and Second Place: Kerry Werner and Drew Dillman

We’re still digging out from under our pile of photos and videos from Nationals this past week—one of our photographers alone clocked in with 1400 photos just from Sunday’s races! So this week, we’ll be showcasing some of the many stories from the week that we may have missed in our efforts to bring you the most up to date race reporting during the event. For our coverage during the week, check out our 2014 Cyclocross National Championship Page here.

Today, we’re talking to the first and second racers in the collegiate D1 race, three-time winner Kerry Werner (who later raced the Elite race) and Drew Dillman (fourth in the U23 race the day before), respectively. To check out the race report to see how the action played out, visit it here.

Kerry Werner, First Place

On racing his own race… I wanted to put the pressure on early. I figured if I did that I would be able to ride my own pace towards the end of the race and not burn to much energy.

On his strategy… I didn’t really want to sit in and let the other guys battle it out because a technical might have happened or something. I didn’t want to leave it up to chance.

On the wind… It wasn’t too bad in the wind because I knew that the three guys behind me were also in the wind by themselves.

On racing both Collegiate and the Elite race… My call up is 13th, so it would be great if I could hold that. I’m just going into it with an open mind and hoping for the best.

Drew Dillman, Second Place

After finishing second in his third race of Nationals… I came here this morning really motivated to race. I was ready to go for it.

On the race… I wanted to give Warner a little bit more competition but a few mistakes early on kind of separated him from me.

On missing the win… I really wanted to get it. I was there and I felt strong. I felt like I could have hung with him a little bit longer if it wasn’t for mistakes, but he’s strong a strong rider so I have to give him that.

On being a nice guy… I didn’t want to be the bad guy and attack him when he was taking his arm warmers off, so I just sat behind him and drafted. But I kind of wish I had got in front of him before that section because when I bobbled, he would have been behind me and it wouldn’t have made any difference. I don’t know, regrets I guess, but that’s OK. There’s always next year.

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